General Chat

The Council of Nicea (sp) was summoned so that Bishops

could get in harmony concerning Christianity, wasn't easy then,

isn't always easy 1700 years later.

Good morning :-)

Just wondering if I should come in and then go out again?? :-S :-S :-D

Where to start...… ? How lovely to hear that all is well with you and yours Vera - the sun will shine brighter today <3

It seems as though you are on your own for remembering that hymn Kandj, but it was worthwhile :-D

Not all versions have the words of Jesus printed in red David - those that are, are called Red Letter Editions, I think we have one somewhere.

Thank you for all your contributions friends...…..can't wait to see what tomorrow brings on here! :-D


I have come across some hermits, whose way of life is spent mainly in silence. I would like to share some of their thoughts over the next few days but, firstly, what is a hermit?

Wiki tell us……
A hermit, or eremite, is a person who lives in seclusion from society, usually for religious reasons. Hermits are a part of several sections of Christianity, and the concept is found in other religions as well.

The Roundhouse Hermitage

‘We are Franciscan hermits living a life of prayer, simplicity and silence. Our hermitage is on the edge of Bodmin Moor close to the River Camel. Our way of life is, for the most part, 'hidden' but we are not in hiding and welcome all visitors.’

For today: But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.- St. Matthew 6:6

God’s first language is silence – Thomas Keating.

http://roundhousehermitage.co.uk/


Cx :-)

The disciples did not write it down, but nor did I write down what someone said to me 50 years ago, but I still have a very exact memory. If something is important, and one assumes nothing was more important than the words of Jesus, then one would remember and retell them as accurately as possible? ( that's leaving aside any divine intervention).

How we translate and interpret is another matter though. As we all know on here what is said can often be misinterpreted or 'not read properly'.

quote "The translation task is not simple. To find the exact meaning in modern English of those ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek terms, phrases, and sentences is very challenging. Sometimes the original words have no exact counterpart in English, so several English words may be required to reproduce the precise meaning."

Scholars proficient in the ancient languages can but do their best, how the rest of us read it is down to our own interpretation. :-)

Personally I try not to pigeonhole God based on what may be a frail human's reading of the 'intent' behind the words ( that of course means I have my own interpretation, which may well not be the orthodox one lol) .

Pat, something that's always puzzled me is it is extremely unlikely that the
Disciples wrote it all down as it was happening. So, they wrote it down later from memory. Jesus never wrote anything. All his quotes in the Gospels are in red ink.
These are drawn from memory by his followers.These scriptures were hid then relocated, some times edited. So what we read and try and understand 2000 years
later is a translation of a version. The responsibility of the translators has been immense.Our perception of of what we read is equally a huge responsibility.
I read last year that The Pope was intending to rephrase The Lords Prayer.
If they can alter that, what can't they do.?

I find myself also overwhelmed by all the topics Cynthia.

Thank you for the prayers and the beautiful hymns which
bring back memories for me also x

I am so pleased that things are improving for you and
you're family Vera x

My thoughts and prayers for those who are lonely and in need
of comfort and support.

Hello all

Just read back and am I the only one who remembers singing the beautiful old hymn
I Will Sing the Wondrous Story??? I looked on youtube and it's there sung to the Hyfrydol tune that I remember so well from many years ago. I'll be singing it all day!!

Bright but with a chilly Autumnal breeze this morning. Weeding in garden is calling me.

Happy Tuesday blessings to everyone looking in today.

I believe the following

The scriptures were written by Christians in a Roman world and to try to become accepted blamed the Jews rather than the Romans for Jesus's death. Just look what happened at the deaths of Paul and Peter, purely Roman decisions.

Having read about Pilate I believe he was a strong, cruel ruler who would have made his own mind up and not pampered to the Jews, although in some aspects he worked with the high priests.

Jesus was seen as a threat to the Roman rule as well as the Jews. In Roman texts Jesus is accused of sedition so therefore punishment would be execution.

Judea was alive with people preaching and starting up groups to overthrow Roman rule. Many were put to death by the Romans, as far as Rome was concerned Jesus was just another troublesome Jew to be got rid of.

There were factions trying to overthrow Roman rule in many areas of the then Roman world - Romans were overstretched and they didn't like there being any leaders or factions and were ruthless at putting down insurrections. Jesus and later on,his Christian followers, were perceived to come into this category.

When I was a child I used to go to Clarence Street Mission. a sort of Sunday

School to watch the lantern slides about missionaries and sing

My cup is full and running over :-D

Good morning

I tried that hymn to Ode to Joy as well Cynthia, in private as a good voice is not something I count among my many blessings. It’s strange - I don’t really remember the hymn yet I could immediately fit it to a melody so I must have sung it as a youngster. The tune that immediately came to mind for me was that of Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.

Kandj, thank you for you kind concern for my brother and OH. They are both doing very well. Life with OH is nearly back to normal, much more quickly than expected, and yesterday we had some good news about my brother. So today I am feeling full of thanks.

My thoughts today are with all those struggling with illness and fear for the future. May they be given strength and a calm mind.

Good morning :-)


Not quite sure where to start this morning......such a range of topics... :-S

I'll stick to Ode to Joy I think. Yes, that hymn does go well to it Gwyn - so much so that I have just sung it!!! :-D

For today:

Dear Lord,
I give you my hands to do your work; I give you my feet to go your way; I give you my eyes to see as you see; I give you my tongue to speak your words; I give you my mind that you may think in me; I give you my spirit that you may pray in me.

Above all, I give you my heart that you may love in me. I give you my whole self, Lord, that you may grow in me, so that it is you who lives, works and prays in me. Amen.


Cx :-)

Following his successes Constantine gave the previously outlawed Christians

a hill, which in the fullness of time they built the Vatican.

https://reasonsforhopejesus.com/did-jesus-call-joseph-father/

? Would Jesus have said Joseph was not his biological Father ?

Agreed Pat , but Pilate said I find no fault in him. But members of the Sanhedrin called

out Crucify him. Pilate tried to reason with them and offered them Barabas who he had in custody, but the crowd insisted Jesus be Crucified.

Crucifixion was a Roman way of death not Jewish, it was the Romans who executed
Jesus.

David there are many aspects of medicine that were simply not known about then, everything from epilepsy to blood circulation. so maybe 'Luke the physician' healed but did not fully understand the mechanics?

I assume Luke believed in the virgin birth because he believed Jesus was the son of God... that's kind of the point of faith, you don't try and explain miracles you just accept that they can happen?

When I became interested in Chrstian religion beyond the assembly hymn t recall someone trying to tell me that Luke was a Physician.

If that was / is correct why didn't he and Paul have much more to say
about the Virgin Birth of their master Jesus ?

Thank you for including that hymn, Cynthia.... Chosen for Holy Cross Sunday especially, I expect.
It's not one I've heard often, but if I recall correctly, it can be sung to the same tune as Ode to joy. The words are very meaningful.
Our church leaders chose Lift High the Cross for this Sunday.

Good morning...….. :-)


Not many cyclists will attempt to cross the Channel to France I wouldn't think Gwyn :-D :-D What a shame about the signage - out of the way churches need to advertise their presence or people can miss out on some great events.

Talking of cyclists, we had the Tour de Britain (!) through our village on Saturday....blink and it had gone. :-D

Lost and Found was very much the theme for yesterday, and we sang a hymn that I am not familiar with but I knew the tune. It was an old hymn, but there is nothing wrong with that, and it was really tied in beautifully with the readings.


I will sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me;
How He left His home in glory
For the cross of Calvary.
Refrain:
Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.

I was lost, but Jesus found me,
Found the sheep that went astray,
Threw His loving arms around me,
Drew me back into His way.

I was bruised, but Jesus healed me,
Faint was I from many a fall,
Sight was gone, and fears possessed me,
But He freed me from them all.

Days of darkness still come o’er me,
Sorrow’s path I often tread,
But His presence still is with me;
By His guiding hand I’m led.

He will keep me till the river
Rolls its waters at my feet;
Then He’ll bear me safely over,
Where the loved ones I shall meet.


Cx :-)

Hello all and welcome GwyninKent, lovely to have you adding to this thread.
Ride and Stride is all new to me, so I have learnt something new today, thank you.

Vera, I hope that your OH and brother are improving as before, you must be tired.

David, The Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11-15) was what our Curate chose to preach on
in church this morning, tying in nicely with the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin readings that Cynthia has mentioned earlier........ how coincidental is that?

Sending out Sunday ((hugs)) to anyone feeling lost or alone today.